Budapest
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Buda-best
It had turned into a late night once I’d found the karaoke bar. Tacky? Yes. Noisy? Certainly. And not exactly authentic. But drinking doesn’t have to be about history and culture all the time. So I’m grateful for a later start today, and equally grateful that the biting wind has eased. It’s still quite chilly…
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Brrrr…iliant Budapest
I’ve been travelling now for a week, and Budapest seems a good place to rest for a few days. I’ve visited the city a few times before, and I know there’s plenty to explore. So three nights is booked – as much to recharge my batteries for further travelling as anything else. My first evening…
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Zagreb – Budapest (via Vienna)
The map above shows the route I had planned to take today. A two stage trip via the small town of Pragersko. However, there are four words nobody likes to hear, whatever the language. They are universally met with disdain, and instantly bring about a state of anger, or even panic. And when those four…
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Access most areas
There’s no doubt that almost everyone in Budapest – and every building – is finely tuned to the tourist economy. If there are a few Forints to be made on top of admission prices, they’re there for the taking. But it’s also refreshing to see that some public places remain just that, such as the…
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Craft and Culture
Eastern Europe used to have a reputation of selling ultra cheap beer – and because of favourable exchange rates, and non-Euro currencies, it made places like Prague, Bratislava and Budapest increasingly attractive to booed up Brits on stag and hen parties. It ruined reputations in both directions. However, many visitors these days have become more…
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Round the (Danube) Bend
The glorious Danube (or Duna in these parts) looks less blue than a sort of grey. But its importance in connecting several countries over the centuries can’t be understated. It was first used by Celts, until they were chased out by the Romans in the first century AD – perhaps one reason why Budapest is littered…
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A pile of pretty bricks
There are many cures for a hangover, and after a late finish a combination of good weather and Budapest’s stunning buildings are a sight for sore eyes. They know how to do design here, and the winding Danube provides the perfect canvass for the Parliament. When it was created in 1896 – at a time…
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A Good Night – Ruined
A return journey to a favourite location is always a good thing in my book. For starters, you don’t feel like a complete tourist, nervously getting the map out at every street junction. And you can explore more parts of the place you’ve had an introduction to. So after a early evening flight into Budapest,…
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Gulliver’s Travails
It’s not often that you get a member of railway staff these days who actually stands on the platform and salutes the train. But it still happens in Budapest, even if the employee isn’t old enough to drive the train. It would appear that Budapest has taken The Railway Children too literally, and sprinkled it…
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The Loin King
So after the hangover from hell, Monday afternoon is spent recharging the batteries. First, coffee and an exquisite cake at cafe next to the hotel. Travelling anywhere by foot today seems like a chore, but one of the plus sides to my hotel deal is a free trip to the Gellert Baths. If you’re from…
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